TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Labor Day 2013

What’s up long weekenders! This weekend officially marks the end of summer, and while we will miss the longer days and drinking beer by the grill too. We’re also excited about less mosquitos and all the awesome fall tours that are coming up. Regardless of your favorite season, it’s time to get this long weekend started with a weekend chock full of block parties, a BitchFest, two nights of 90’s favorites, not to mention an incredibly impressive lineup happening at the Muddy Roots Music Festival up in Cookeville this weekend. Regardless of your flavor, we’ve got you covered. Click through to check out all of the live music that we are excited about this weekend!

FRIDAY

Dudes! I think you Lightning 100 guys just look through my iPod when you chose your band of the week! Man, we love Milktooth. Milktooth headlined the Beck Song Reader part of our Anniversary Party?!?! Coincidence? I think not. We all just dig one of the coolest bands in Nashville, and you’ll be hard pressed not to see me gnoshin’ on pizza and sippin’ on beers at Soulshine with ya on Friday! [MH]

Following in the footsteps of songbirds like Sara Bareilles, songwriter Jillette Johnson combines catchy hooks and soaring piano melodies which broach more than just the typical topics of love and love gone wrong. Check out her video for her song “Cameron,” which is about the struggles of a transgender boy. Supporting acts are punk/bluegrass duo Grace & Tony as well as former The Voice contestant, singer/songwriter Caroline Glaser. [LS]

The Basement has clocked in a solid three night stand of killer acts heading into Labor Day weekend. We told you about the bill last night featuring some of our local faves, and, now, you get a chance to rock the eff out with past Road To Bonnaroo winners Fly Golden Eagle and Ranch Ghost. Throw in sets by Majestico and Blank Range, and this just might be the rock show of the night. [MH]

Bitchfest. Hell yes. HELL YES, GRRRLS (and guys)! Get there and celebrate all things empowered female. The first night is jam packed with awesome bands, and word is that each festival goer will receive an official BITCH FEST zine and hand printed, commemorative t-shirt. Plus local representatives from feminist charities and organizations will be on hand to show you how to give back… plus free contraceptives! Get bitchy already! Personal fave Tipper Whore is on the bill and you can sneak peek them below. [JM]

We gave you the full scoop on this shindig earlier in the week. If 16 killer local bands on four stages for one low price doesn’t float your boat, you came to the wrong website. Check out a full lineup playlist below, if you need more convincing. [PO]

Wilder blew us away at the Luella & The Sun benefit. Perhaps he isn’t what you would think about as some Pitchfork darling nor top 40 radio star, but he is a bad ass player that totally understands and channels rock and the blues. You will be thoroughly entertained if you end up over at Third & Lindsley early on Saturday. [MH]

The first time I heard The Silver Seas new album Alaska, I had to listen all the way through their album – twice. It’s that good. You can get very own copy of Alaska for FREE, with the price of admission to the show. Many of the tracks on the album are co-writes with Josh Rouse, although he’s not a member of the band. Think gorgeous alt-country with steel guitar which leans towards Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac.[LS]

The Electric Hearts played the kick-off party for the very first Sideshow Fringe Festival back in 2011 and they have only gotten bigger and better since. You won’t want to miss Jessica Breanne (who may have dropped her name from top billing with the band but still commands the mic like a neo-Janis Joplin) do her thing. Catch that wail below! [JM]

The bitch is back, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Special surprise artist and songwriting legend Melanie Safka (aka “Melanie”), writer of hits like “Ruby Tuesday,” and “What Have They Done To My Song Ma” headlines Saturday night’s show at The End. We’re also hugely looking forward to seeing Take the Power Back (Nashville’s badass all-female Rage Against the Machine tribute band) and Birdcloud again. Check out Take the Power back destroying (in the best way) “Guerilla Radio” below. [LS]

Female-fronted Texas indie rockers The Tontons are equal parts dance pop, spaced out introspective rock, and soulful unabashed rock and roll. Through their past few years of independent touring and festival appearances, the group have amassed a loyal and well-deserved underground following, and are primed to explode into the scene at large. Supported by Nashville (by way of California) indie rockers Radar Vs. Wolf, this might just be the underdog pick of the night. [PO]

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SUNDAY

We don’t often write about comedy, but Garfunkel & Oates are musical comedy. The duo- made up of actor/comedians Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome are equal parts shy, nerdy, vulgar, and hilarious. Musically, they tend to lean folky and acoustic, but they’re not afraid to tread into the territories of hip hop, pop, and more if the song calls for it. They’re playing two back to back sets, so no excuses! [PO]

We recently raved about Coin‘s latest single, “Atlas,” (listen below). The synthy indie pop group just seem to get better and better every time we catch them, and we’re still convinced they’re one of the most underrated up and coming bands in town! Paired with a great bill of The Young International, Canopy Climbers , and Phin, this one should be a no-brainer! [PO]

We spent some time getting to know The Howlin’ Brothers back at the SXSW Send Off Show, and it is no wonder that they are performing at the Lightning 100 Nashville Sunday Nights after we heard a few of their on air personalities tell us they had “no idea that these guy would be this good”. Hey, you weren’t telling us anything. We’ve been listening to Sons Of Fathers a bit this week too, and they may just be the next Sunday headliner at the 3rd and Lindsley tradition. Check them out below. [MH]

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MONDAY

We told you already that Cy Barkley & the Way Outsiders would be dropping their new album, Mutability, at this show (preview a new track below), but it also happens to be a birthday bash for Nashville’s Dead, and the rest of the lineup is stacked! Recently reunited Memphis punks The Oblivians will headline, joined by fellow Memphis punks (and Nashville regulars) Ex-Cult and locals Heavy Cream. Between Cy and The Oblivians, this is a mandatory event for punk fans! [PO]

CALIFONE@ Grimeys New & Preloved Music | 2 PM | Free | All Ages

Chicago based experimental rockers Califone are currently on tour for a series of living room shows. There was actually one up the road in Madison on Friday, August 30th. If you were already in the loop for that one, you should comment below just how cool it was, and tell everyone why they should head out to Grimeys on Labor Day. Because, leave it to the Grimeys staff to turn Labor Day into a party with a free performance from Califone, along with a cookout & free beers (for those 21+). The tour and in-store are in support of the new record Stitches, which is just as great as the past catalog, and releases this Tuesday (9/3). This is worth a bit of your holiday afternoon. [MH]